Perfectionism is complex and may appear in various shapes and forms: over-processing, hesitation, avoidance, and overwhelm. Our relationships and projects can suffer if we chase perfection. Let’s lean in and harness the good, prepare for the bad, and close the door on the ugly.
How will I show up? What will people think? How will they perceive what I put out there? What do I post? What do I say? Is it good enough? Am I showing up the way I want to show up? What’s the message I wanted to convey?
Reading through the different types of perfectionism in Katherine Morgan Schafler’s The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control: A Path to Peace and Power shows that perfectionism can be incredibly nuanced. And, being a perfectionist isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Can you recognizing it? And then, can you harness those things to be your superpowers? We also mention some insights from Jon Acuff’s Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done and Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking.
We talked last time, around perfectionism, and just getting started. Just doing it, getting out there, posting the post, starting the project. The practice is the point. It’s not about doing the thing perfectly, it’s about the process of going on that journey.
Laura, “And I guess for me, maybe specifically the way that my perfectionism shows up. One thing that I know I can do is instead of sitting and struggling, perhaps I can continue to connect with you and talk through it. I think that’s incredibly helpful for me. I also think just knowing that we’re doing the best we can, that we’re showing up honestly with good intention and letting that be good enough.”